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Homeland Security: Right Wing Extremists "Gaining New Recruits" After Obama's Election

In May 2007, Barack Obama was placed under 24/7 Secret Service protection—the earliest ever for a presidential candidate—after receiving numerous racist death threats. The election of the nation's first black president has become a potent recruiting tool for the extreme right, according to a new assessment from the Office of Intelligence and Analysis at the Department of Homeland Security.

[R]ightwing extremists may be gaining new recruits by playing on their fears about several emergent issues. The economic downturn and the election of the first African American president present unique drivers for rightwing radicalization and recruitment.

If the "uncertain economy" and a "perceived rising influence of other countries" continues, "rightwing extremism is likely to grow in strength," the report adds. "[L]one wolves and small terrorist cells embracing violent rightwing extremist ideology are the most dangerous domestic terrorism threat in the United States."

The Southern Poverty Law Center adds the "number of hate groups operating in the United States continued to rise in 2008 and has grown by 54 percent since 2000—an increase fueled last year by immigration fears, a failing economy and the successful campaign of Barack Obama."

The recent shooting rampage in Pittsburgh that killed three officers was appatrently committed by a man who posted numerous racist and anti-Semitic messages on white supremacist websites.

At Least 19 Killed in Ivory Coast Stadium Stampede

Tragedy in the Ivory Coast. At least 19 people die after thousands stampede an overcrowded stadium in a World Cup qualifier.

An estimated 36,000 spectators were in the Houphouet-Boigny Arena in the capital city of Abidjan. This was the highly-anticipated game against Malawi and the return of soccer phenom Didier Drogba. Police fired tear gas into one section of the crowd to no avail. Dozens of fans were injured, some seriously.

According to Reuters, " 'Spectators who did not buy tickets were jostling before the match,' Sports Minister Dagobert Banzio said on state television. 'They smashed one of the main gates of the stadium. They were trampled.' "

The BBC reports the tragedy happened "before" the game began but the event went ahead. The Ivory Coast defeated Malawi 5-0.

Riots and crushes are unfortunately all-too-common at frequently overcrowded African soccer stadiums. Last September, 11 people were killed in a stadium riot in the Congo. In June, eight people died in a crush in Liberia.

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Gates: Administration Will Delay Change to "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

On January 14, 2009, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said President Barack Obama would lift the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy that bans gays and lesbians from openly serving in the military. No timeline was given. Defense Secretary Robert Gates appeared on FOX News Sunday and says it will "not" happen anytime soon.

"I think the president and I feel like we've got a lot on our plates right now, and let's push that one down the road a little bit," Gates told Fox's Chris Wallace.

When Wallace asked Gates why there is money in the proposed 2010 budget to enforce the "Don't Ask" policy, the former Bush administration official said the Pentagon will enforce whatever policy is the law.

"Any change in the policy would require a change in the law," Gates said. "We will follow the law whatever it is. That dialog [to end the ban]... has really not progressed very far in this administration."

In 1993, the Clinton White House tackled the thorny issue of gays in the military less than 100 days into its presidency. After polarizing debate, DADT became the flawed compromise that exists today. Since DADT was enacted more than 12,000 servicemembers have been dismissed because of their sexuality, according to the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network.

Just like health care reform and the Employee Free Choice Act, there probably will not be any traction this year on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."  Despite the legislative support to end the ban, it probably will be delayed until the Administration begins withdrawal from Iraq. 

Some Background ...
Tauscher Introduces Bill to Repeal "Don't Ask" [R20]
Obama Conference Call on "Don't Ask" [R20]
Obama Talks to "The Advocate" [R20]
Gays in Military Do Not Undermine "Cohesiveness" [R20]
Court of Appeals Upholds "Don't Ask" [R20]
Joint Chiefs Nominee: Congress Can Reconsider "Don't Ask" [R20]
Former Joint Chiefs Chairman: End DADT [R20]
Former Defense Secretary: End DADT [R20]
Former Defense Secretary: End DADT [R20]
Former Joint Chiefs Chair: End DADT [R20]
Most Soldiers Support Gays [R20]

Tyra Banks, Suze Orman and Phil Donahue Honored by GLAAD

Talk show host Tyra Banks, out financial guru Suze Orman and talk show pioneer Phil Donahue were honored at the 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York City. Banks received the Excellence in Media Award, Orman received the Vito Russo Award and Donhue was the recipient of the Special Recognition Award:.

Banks discussed the connections between homophobia and racism and credited the gay community for her rise to stardom as a black supermodel in an overwhelmingly white-dominated industry. "You empowered me," Banks told the audience. "And in turn, when I finally had a platform and the power and a voice to get across the points and the messages that are important to me, I brought you along with me, because you embraced me."

Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom and Shelter tied for outstanding limited-release film, black bisexual ESPN.com columnist LZ Granderson won for Outstanding Digital Journalism Article, among other winners. Full list is here. Jennifer Holliday performed and brought down the house. Other GLAAD honorees will be recognized at a Los Angeles ceremony next month.

Newsman's Confessed 16 Year Old Killer Demands Cash for Interview

More details emerge on John Katehis, the 16-year-old Satan-worshiping knife collector who has admitted to the bloody slaying of radio newsman George Weber in a sex-for-cash-hookup gone wrong. Reports say the troubled teen is still demanding money ... this time from newspaper reporters requesting interviews.

The New York Post visited the troubled teen at the psychiatric ward of Bellevue Hospital.

When visited by a Post reporter, Katehis greedily said he'd only tell his side of the story "for cash."

Wearing a light green jumpsuit and a menacing scowl on his face, Katehis again made clear there was only one way he'd spill the beans. "Is this a cash offer?" snarled Katehis. "Cash offers only!"

Once it became clear no money would be exchanged, Katehis shot up and yelled again, "cash offers only!" and stormed out.

The lure of money figures prominently in the tabloid sex slaying. Police say Katehis told them he answered Weber's Craigslist ad offering $60 for rough sex. The teen confessed to savagely stabbing the ABC News radioman in his Brooklyn apartment. The Queens boy was later lured to an upstate rendezvous with detectives after his father "promis[ed] to give him $300."

Katehis has plead not guilty and is being kept in Bellevue for observation. Unfortunately the young man sounds very disturbed or very greedy. Or both.

Alleged Weber Killer Demands Cash for Interview [NYP]

Some Background...
Lisa Bloom: Slain Newsman Should Have "Researched" Teen Killer [R20]
Rough Trade: 16 Year Old, Knife Collecting Satanist Confesses to Brutal Newsman Slaying [R20]
Teen Satanist Pleads "Not Guilty" to Bloody Slaying of Radio Newsman [R20]

Jada: Will Smith and I Have a "Real Marriage" and "Are Not Gay"

This is amusing. Despite their much-discussed colorful social life—and the "exciting" suggestions she had to "sex up" an on-screen lesbian character—Jada Pinkett Smith wants everyone to know once and for all her marriage to Will Smith is "real" and they absolutely are "not gay."

The Hollywood couple celebrate its twelfth wedding anniversary this year (09)—but some online gossips are still convinced their love is not for real and claim they are both secretly gay.

But the Matrix Reloaded star is unfazed, insisting there is nothing she could say to convince her marriage critics.

In a recent interview with American news organization National Public Radio, she says, "I don't have an open marriage and no, we're not gay and you don't trust that? Well then there's nothing that I really have to say to anybody about anything, because at the end of the day, I'm living my life, and I'm happy."

So much for the gay rumors but no comment on the many bisexual rumors. And despite what husband Will Smith implies, theirs is not an "open" marriage. Thanks for setting us straight on that one, Jada.

Did You Read ... ?
Hollywood Madam: Will Smith Hires Male Escorts [R20]
Will Smith Has An "Open Marriage" [R20]
Jada Pinkett Smith Tells "The Advocate" She's Never "Played" a Lesbian Before" [R20]
Jada "Encouraged" Will Smith's Love Scene [R20]

News: Louis Smith, Bill O'Reilly, Madonna, Vermont Marriage

· UPS will no longer advertise on anti-gay right-winger Bill O'Reilly's show on FOX News.

· Japan will recognize the marriages of nationals who legally marry same-sex partners outside the country.

· British Olympic gymnastics bronze medalist and Rod 2.0 fave Louis Smith warms up for Europeans. Smith took silver in the London Open and heads to Milan for the Individual European Championships this week.

· Bilerico.com shut down for 9 hours by hackers who targeted the popular gay blog for the past year and a half.

· Two victories for gay rights in Delaware. The legislature rejects "a proposed same-sex marriage ban and approving a bill to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation—though not gender identity."

· Spain considers a criminal case against six former Bush administration officials—including former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales—who approved torture.

· British children's charity to Madonna: "Please think twice before adopting another African child."

· More than 300 supporters of marriage equality rally outside the office of Vermont's Republican Governor Jim Douglas, who promises to veto a gay marriage bill expected to pass the legislature next week. "He met for about 10 minutes with a handful of same-sex marriage supporters, but they came away unsatisfied. 'I don't believe we made any headway," Sandi Cote-Whitacre of Georgia Center tells the Burlington Free Press. "We let him know we were terribly disappointed and we weren't going away." The bill passed the Senate earlier this week and is expected to pass the House. A two-thirds majority in both houses would be required override a veto and "it remains unclear" whether marriage proponents have the votes.

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Zambian VP Kunda: "Report Homosexuals to Law Enforcement"

A fresh round of anti-gay hysteria begins in Southern Africa. During the question and answer session in the Zambian parliament, Vice President George Kunda charged the government was aware of men who married to hide their homosexuality and they should be "reported" to the police.

The vice president told MPs: "Some could be lawyers, engineers, journalists and if you have information of others ... please report them to the law enforcement agencies."

"Zambia is a Christian nation and it shall continue to be so because it is part of our constitution. And acts such as homosexuality are not part of the Christian norm," Kunda said, adding that "homosexuality is a bad thing and we should all come together and fight homosexuality."

Kunda reminded parliament in 2005 the house "passed stiff laws against homosexuality" and the minimum sentence for a person found guilty is 15 years. Behind the Mask, the African LGBT news outlet, reports "shouts of shame and laughter" during Kunda's statement.

According to the Central Intelligence Agency: Zambia is one of the world's poorest nations. Life expectancy is an average of 40 years and the HIV/AIDS rate is 16 percent. The real "shame" is that Kunda and parliament know these grim statistics damn well and hope to distract the rural, impoverished nation with this meaningless anti-gay witch hunt.

Kunda Warns Homosexuals [Times of Zambia]
Kunda Warns Homosexuals [BTM]

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Lisa Bloom: Slain Newsman Should Have "Researched" Teen Killer

Thanks to Andy for the heads-up. CNN's Rick Sanchez invited Lisa Bloom on his show to discuss the murder of George Weber, the ABC News Radio personality brutally killed one week ago today. Weber met John Katehis, the alleged 16-year-old murderer, via a Craigslist ad soliciting bondage and rough sex. Bloom criticizes the slain reporter for not "researching" his knife-collecting, Satan-worshiping teen trick:

"It's obviously very bad judgment to meet someone online and immediately engage in sexual relations. Anything could happen it happens on MySpace or Craigslist all the time. Ironically for a reporter if he checked him out on MySpace, he would have seen some very, potentially warning signs. Like the fact he was posing with a lot of knives and said, 'If you disrespect me I will kill you.' "

AFTER THE JUMP watch the clip ...

Robin Szolkowy Wins Gold Medal in World Figure Skating Championship

Turning to sport: German figure skaters Robin Szolkowy and Aliona Savchenko won their second pairs world crown in a rout Wednesday night in Los Angeles.

Even an unexpected fall didn't keep Szolkowy, who mother is German and father Tanzanian, and his partner from winning the gold at the World Figure Skating Championships, reports the Los Angeles Times. "The Germans, dancing to music from the movie Schindler's List, had completed their difficult opening jump combinations and throws before Szolkowy lost his footing, but when they ended their program with a difficult throw triple salchow the crowd was appreciative."

"I think there was some ice on the ice," Szolkowy joked later, explaining his fall.

Combined with their leading short program scores, Szolkowy and Savchenkopair had a total of 203.48. Very impressive given figure skatings new scoring system.

Szolkowy competing in his first Olympics in Torino 2006, where Shani Davis won gold and silver in speed skating. Szolkowy says has been skating since age 4 when he was out one day with his mother. "It was by coincidence," he said. "We were at an airport that had an ice rink. I dropped in to try it and liked it."

Thanks JAMES!